Derby v Wigan Betting Tips: Much of the same for The Rams

Dec 30 2016
Dec 30 2016
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This match sees two of the Championship’s lowest scorers come head-to-head as Derby County host Wigan Athletic at Pride Park.

The return of Steve McLaren to Derby has seen The Rams rise up the Championship table, climbing up to 7th after just one loss in his 12 matches back in charge at Pride Park. Additionally, they have not just been going undefeated, but are picking up vital wins. Before a slight blip against Fulham a couple of weeks ago, Derby had won seven on the bounce – and six of them to nil. They returned to their winning ways last time out as they beat Birmingham City 1-0.

Whilst McLaren cannot have to many complaints about his side given their form, they do not score that many goals, finding the back of the net just 24 times in 23 league matches. However, when your defence is as good as theirs, you don’t really need to score too many. Derby have kept nine clean sheets since McLaren’s return and have only conceded 15 overall all season – only top of the table Brighton & Hove Albion have a better record.

Pride Park is certainly a fortress for Derby and, after losing four home matches on the spin prior to McLaren coming back, they are yet to concede a goal in seven games at home during his second reign in charge.

Wigan are the complete opposite to Derby at the moment and are on a diabolical run having lost their last five, putting them firmly in the relegation mire and a huge five points from safety.

As previously mentioned, goals are the problem for The Lactics and they are the Championship’s joint-lowest scorers with just 20 goals, even bottom-of-the-table Rotherham United have scored more.

Their recent losing form has certainly been down to this lack of potency up front as they have generally lost by only a one-goal margin. You can’t help but feel that is Wigan had a bit more bite going forward then they would surely have picked up points in those matches.

Manager Warren Joyce can be fairly happy about his side’s defensive work as they have let in only 30 goals in 23 matches – fewer than anybody else in the bottom seven.

Wigan’s form on the road had perked up a few weeks back and they went five matches without loss. However, they have now suffered back-to-back defeats against Aston Villa and relegation rivals Rotherham United. This is very much reverting to type for The Lactics as, prior to that unbeaten run, they had not won away from the DW Stadium in the Championship since April 2015. Although it must be remembered that Wigan were in League One for a the 2015/16 season.

With Wigan so poor up front and Derby so good at the back, as well as their respective home and away records, the hosts are hard to avoid here. Furthermore, they are fancied to keep up their 100% home clean sheet record under McClaren. ‘Derby to Win to Nil’, at 11/8, is the best bet here.

See our Premier League tips here.

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